The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-01-20
THE MESSAGE.


terday. Like his inaugural address it
shows strength of mind, independent
thought, fervid patriotism, and power to
express clearly and forclbly his views and
convictions. The STATESMAN commends
what he has to say for direct taxation.
We think all taxation should be direct,
and that Gov. Ross demonstrates the cor
rectness of our position when he declares
that
The chief concern of any people living
under government like ours must neces-
sarily relate to the economical admins
, tration of the finances, raised as all pub
lie funds are, by system of direct taxa
ton. This system not only engenders and
| stimulates Jealous watchfulness on the
part of the people as to the administra-
ton of the funds after they are once in
| the treasury, but also necessitates great
care upon the part of the law making de-
! partment of the government in order to
!, assure the lightest burden of taxation
! compatible with efficient and economical
administration, and an equal and just
T distribution of this burden among the tax
payers, so that none should receive spe-
cial favors or incur special and onerous
liabilities.
We approve also his recommendation
as to assessment of property. The laws
regulating the assessment of property are
sorely in need of revision, and certainly
there should be some amendment to the
law to secure the state against such heavy
losses in land sales for taxes. The recon-
mendation as to method of paying taxes
is also q wise one. "On principle
the comptroller, who is the auditing Off
Ger of the government and check on the
treasury should not handle the public
funds either in going into the treasury or
coming out"
The STATESMAN has labored long and
hard for the relief of the drouth suf-
fereru, and therefore halls with delight
this earnest effort from the executive
chair to find some method of early
relief for those unfortunate people. On
this matter the message says:
Some twenty or more of our heretofore
most prosperous counties have suffered
from disastrous drouth, and the citizens
| thereof are in dire distress, and are not
only unable to meet the just demands
upon them as taxpayers, but their unfor-
tunate condition appeals loudly for gov
l ornamental aid in some shape, to secure
e them from absolute starvation; and
know l but voice the common sentiment
that this unfortunate people should have
some measure of consideration and relief
D end that they should not be permitted tC
: suffer the pangs of hunger and destitu
ton by reason of failures which NJ
human precautioh could have guarded
q against.
u The recommendations as to prison reg
ulations are interesting, and deserv
thorough consideration. So also as t.
: what is said of the road laws.
It The message repeats the argumen
e already gone over in the inaugural ad
@ dress, for decided revision of the law
o affecting the sale and lease of publ
g lands. We regard the recommendation
It as eminently wise, practical and bushes
IT like. The attention of the Legislature
8 earnestly called to this part of the mes
e. sage.
- The governor takes hold of railwa
IS matters with firm and manly griI
a While showing thorough appreciation o
e the value of railroad property of the state
d and consequent Importance of encourag
ing their successful construction and opei
t alton of railways, he clearly perceiyes tn
q abuses into which their possession of
y practical monopoly, by combination an
g pooling, have carried them, and strongl
Il recommends corrective and restraining
Y legislation against these abuses. Hi
Il recommendation on this all importan
subject arr, in the main,wise and conserve
- tive; while sufficiently progressive to b
up with the urgent need of the times. w
are not, however,with him in his opposition
- to railroad commission. We believ
!. that commission is necessary to expert
mental legislation on this new matte
with which law makers are now calle
upon to deal. commission, too, wit
broad and expansive discretionary pow
ers. In time we will learn to deal wit
such matters through the ordinary judi
catory channels.
II .,.pur ,rffr. roN-p